The new FCC certificates are the way to go. TOTALLY refundable and good for two years. Plus on cruises less than 26 days that $2000 is used for your deposit even if the regular deposit is more.
So much better than making FAKE bookings, $200 cancel fees, keeping track of the date to be sure it is transferred etc.

Problem with the time of year is that going from one end of the world to the other it is difficult to hit everything at the right time.
This time of the year is PERFECT for New Zealand. The July /August time frame that is good for Northern Australia is TERRIBLE for New Zealand.

People always want to combine the Great Barrier Reef areas of Australia with a trip to New Zealand. Sounds like they are close but the seasons are really reversed. What is best for one area is the worst for the other area.

I have done Northern Australia on a ship before at this same time and while it was hot it was bearable and we had no bad seas or missed ports. IT is just the way it goes sometimes no way to control Mother Nature.

I will be VERY surprised if they do a tier match situation. There has been mumblings about this for a long time but when I ask the brass at Regent I always get a not happening. That said one thing is for sure NOTHING is 100% certain things constantly change.

I have also heard rumblings that the new ship is just tiny details away from going forward. Hopefully that required time frame will the ship yards will push the new build into reality.